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Re: Your 2012 NFL Mock Draft Selection Thread

With the first selection in the 2012 draft the Indianapolis Colts select.....wait for it.....Andrew Luck quarterback Stanford. I just hope he is half the quarterback Peyton Manning was for the franchise.

Re: Your 2012 NFL Mock Draft Selection Thread

Rams select Justin Blackmon-WR Oklahoma State University. I would have picked Matt Kalil but I fully expect the Rams to trade down. Blackmon seems the most logical for them anyway. As a Rams fan, I pray to god the Rams take Blackmon, lol.

“Our next home stand follows this road trip.”

“I just want to tell everyone Happy Easter and Happy Hanukkah.” says on the day before Easter

Re: Your 2012 NFL Mock Draft Selection Thread

With the third pick in the 2012 Redszone Mock Draft, The Minnesota Vikings select Matt Kalil, OT, USC.

I hate to do this because it lets RG3 fall to the Browns, but I think the Vikings are high enough on Ponder to pass on Robert Griffin in order to get the best tackle prospect in this year's draft. Had Blackmon been here he would have been the pick here for me, as I think the Vikings would have finally found the big time WR to pair with Harvin and support Ponder and Peterson.

Re: Your 2012 NFL Mock Draft Selection Thread

With the fourth pick in the first round the Cleveland Browns dance a jig, and do the Riverdance on the way to the podium to turn in their selection.

QB, Robert Griffin III of Baylor

Cleveland now has their QB of the future. Cleveland fans now can have four months worth of chest puffing arguments with Bengals and Steelers fans, before the crushing reality sets in that they still have a long way to go.

The Sox traded Bullfrog the only player they've got for Shottenhoffen. Four-eyes Shottenhoffen a utility infielder. They've got a whole team of utility infielders.

Re: Your 2012 NFL Mock Draft Selection Thread

With the FIFTH pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS select:

MORRIS CLAIBORNE -- CB -- LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Tampa Bay needs help everywhere on the defense, and Morris Claiborne represents both the best player available on the board and also one of the best "fits" for the team.

New head coach Greg Schiano has stated he will be playing a more attacking style of defense (as opposed to the more traditional Tampa-2 the team has been known for) -- a philosophy that will undoubtedly leave DBs matched up one-on-one with receivers from time to time. Claiborne will be a tremendous team asset in a division that sees them face Cam Newton, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan 2 times each per season, and on a defense that may be without the services of perennial pro-bowler Ronde Barber (retirement) and Aquib Talib (pending felony conviction).

Re: Your 2012 NFL Mock Draft Selection Thread

The Browns are one of the favorites to trade up to #2 for Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, which would be the best move the franchise has made since they re-entered the league more than a decade ago. There have been reports that Cleveland isn’t the favorite because they are hesitant to pay the exorbitant price, but it’s impossible to overpay for a franchise quarterback. If the Browns are unable to get a deal done their options at #4 aren’t all that enticing. Alabama RB Trent Richardson would make the most sense since Peyton Hillis is a free agent, but in this day and age can a team really justify taking a running back so early when history clearly shows that productive runners can be found later on? Richardson may be the exception to the rule though as he is the best prospect to come along at the position since Adrian Peterson. A true workhorse, Richardson is a well-rounded player who can run over linebackers or run away from defensive backs while also excelling as a pass catcher and blocker. Most seem to agree that Richardson is one of the five most talented prospects in this class, but if he gets past the Browns and Buccaneers there is no telling how far he may slide. In many ways Richardson will serve as a litmus test for how elite running back prospects are handled in the modern NFL Draft. Cleveland is also desperate for a playmaker in the passing game so Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon would be a strong possibility as well. Other options include L.S.U. CB Morris Claiborne or North Carolina DE Quinton Coples, but it would be in the Browns best interests to do what it takes to land “RG3”. It won't be cheap, but few worthwhile things are.

Re: Your 2012 NFL Mock Draft Selection Thread

With the #7 pick the Jags surprise a bit by taking David DeCastro, OG, Stanford.

The Jags have need at WR and DE, and DB. But Coples has a problem playing full out and reminds people here of Derrick Harvey. Kirpatrick has has character issues.

DeCastro helps build a line to protect Gabbart and follows the pattern that Smith has followed in his short tenure. Drafting big bodies from major conferences in the first 2 rounds. DeCastro is said to have no weaknesses and is said to be possibly the safest pick in the draft.

Re: Your 2012 NFL Mock Draft Selection Thread

With the #10 pick the Buffalo Bills select Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina

Bills are switching to a 4-3 this year, and for a 4-3 defense to ever be great, its mandatory to have elite talent at the DE position. Guess who just fell to the Bills? Even though I'm not in love with him due to motor concerns, he's still the consensus #1 4-3 DE in the draft according to many NFL front offices as well as Kiper and McShay. There's no question he's a pure top 5 talent, and whether or not he had an inconsistent motor in college or not, this is a must draft here for the Bills if hes available at 10, and I also think they'd take him if he was there.

2011: First-team All-ACC selection in 2011 after leading the Tar Heels in both tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (7.5). He posted 55 total tackles on the year-good enough for fourth-best on the team. He ranks fourth in the country among active players with 24 career sacks and leaves Chapel Hill with 144 total tackles, five forced fumbles, 22 quarterback hurries and four pass breakups

And I figured everyone might enjoy this long, detailed write up that a guy (ex college player and current O-line coach at a small school) on another forum I frequent alot posted about Coples. Written by Needle77 fromhttp://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...&postcount=658

Coples in 2010 played interior line which is a huge thing for Coples. As we will see in a little bit he is not your typical speed rusher. He reminds me personally a lot of Justin Tuck in his ability to move a OT with more than just speed. He is extremely physical at the point of attack and is a player that is a 3 down NFL starter right now. Now onto some game tape for Coples.

The first game tape we will look at is UNC vs Mizzou. Coples plays in quite a few spots along the line. Versatility and finding matchups is definitely a strong point for Coples. His first big play of the game actually comes with him lining up in a 3/4 technique. The video I will be referring to is here: Quinton Coples vs Missouri - YouTube

00:37: Coples first big play of the game. We see him lined up in that bastardized 3 tech. The play is a zone right. Coples is extremely fast off the ball, shoots his hands, gains leverage and at the same time penetration. He is able to meet the RB in the backfield for a big time loss.

00:58: Coples is lined up in his more natural 5 tech. His first instinct on this play, and having OLB support to the outside helping on contain, is a cross face rush. Shoots his hands, comes off a touch high and is beat. But, Coples shows high level hand fighting skills, fights across the OT’s body, rips under and forces the QB to move out of the pocket. Showing power moves in a situation like this is extremely encouraging.

1:17: Coples doesn’t crash as the OT in front of him is pulling. Looks to have containment but is still very far upfield and quite high off the ball. This is becoming a trend for Coples, at 6’6 his height could be a disadvantage if he comes off this high.

1:28: Coples with a tremendous jump off the snap. Has OT beaten quite bad. Takes himself out of the play though by rushing to far upfield. Has to be more under control coming off the line. Initial step is biggest positive here though.

1:47: Coples shows that quick first step again. Still a little too high for my liking but able to let the QB see him. Like for him to finish off the play but does take away half the field with his rush. At NFL level his path to QB would be right on target, Mizzou does not drop back like NFL teams.

3:37: Forces an INT. But, this play needs to be a sack. OL does a smart move, everyone blocks down leaving Coples alone. Coples feels this, expects to get trapped but instead its not a QB power but a pass. He has to react to this after defending himself from the trap and recovers. He takes an inside rush which is the negative. But has the awareness to attack the QB’s throwing had to force the poor pass, leads to an INT.

4:10: Shows him shedding an OT for a tackle. Still coming off very high.

4:49: Maybe his best play or second best play of the game. Shoots hands, stifles the OT, sheds him, TFL.

6:27: A very important play. The trap is at Coples. We see him get his hands on the OT, lower his shoulder, take on the trap block and give up 0 ground.

First play: Comes down the line to make the tackle. May not be a lot but there are some questions about his motor.

0:32: We see a speed rush from Coples. Unsuccessful but does hurry the throw. Miami, like other colleges, does not do the 9 step drop like NFL teams may. In a 9 step drop Coples pathing is perfect.

1:05: Feels the reach block. Hands already shot out and has control of the OT. Cannot shed him but does next best thing and draws the play out. RB has to cut inside to help. Very good play.

1:14: TE tries to block him. This is a pure power rush on a TE. He beats him like a drum and forces the QB to throw it away. Draws holding penalty.

1:53: We see him lose his outside shoulder but still fighting across his face.

2:02: Playing that Wide-5 spot but his instincts kick in and he still attacks the OL instead of taking advantage of the wide position and forcing the OT to kick deep.

2:08: A good view of him taking on a rush block and creating a stalement. Utterly impressive.

2:16: Takes on two blockers. Does not get home.

2:43: A look at his wide 9 spot and with the TE to him he does not attack the TE. Gets upfield very fast.

2:50: Drawing another holding penalty, so fast off the ball.

3:22*****: The best play on both videos. Absolutely destroys the OT. Unreal push out of his legs.

3:45+3:54: We see two speed rushes out of him. Game tape must see a weakness in this OT for him to show the speed rush this much. First time gets stifled a little. Second time his path his better and gets a sack.

4:25: A fairly negative play for him. Positive is he stifles the OT again and does not looks ground. But reads the play to late and loses his outside shoulder.

4:35: Last play, Coples shows his resilience against the run again and keeps leverage.

But that is enough film for us amateurs to look at to get a very vague idea about a player. As I would love to sit down and watch more availability and time are two things that are an issue but let’s go with what we have.

First let’s look at the negatives.

First his pad level off the ball is pretty atrocious. The issue is he is 6’6. Height is a great thing, it is the one thing that can’t be coached, and in his case will be a help at times but also a detriment. He comes off so high that some OT’s in the league that are a bit shorter will have a nice avenue of attack into his midsection. This will most definitely be an issue but is also something that can be corrected…to a point.

His awareness in the backfield. We see him a bit lost on a few option reads. I understand that is something he won’t be seeing that much and maybe none at all in the NFL. But his awareness is lacking. His pathing while trying to cut down RBs and QBs is not great once he has to react. This is film work. And as film is lacking at the college level hopefully he will improve upon this.

His speed rush. It can be quite ugly. He takes a tremendously deep route. Now in the NFL it will be a bit better but QBs are more apt to step up in the pocket and let you run around. But the extra few steps may help him a bit, still though he will be going against much tougher competition and that has to be a concern. The speed rush is the great equalizer for DE’s. It is something that he HAS to improve on.

The positives:

Hands. His hands are fantastic. I didn’t get to much into it above but if you go back and watch the video’s you will see that his hand placement is great. He is attacking the OT’s chest and outside shoulder. He never takes on the entire OT on a pass rush and while playing the run he is inside of the OL. This is a tremendous thing for a young player. Watch Jared Allen and his hand placement. It is a thing of beauty. Now Jason Pierre-Paul is a player who’s hand placement is not as great and he relies a lot more on his athleticism to bail him out. Fortunately Coples seems to have this part down.

Run game: He’s not afraid to get dirty. Plays inside, moves around, and gets off the ball. I’ll put his first step off the ball here too. As that may be his best asset but fits into each area. With that step and the shooting of his hands he is able to establish his position across the line of scrimmage. You do not see him engaging the OL on his side of the ball. And in the run game this is an enormous positive. A stalemate is a win for a DL in the run game and Coples does this, and sometimes even better by gaining ground into the backfield.

Power Rush: You don’t need me to say it again but hands/feet. These are the first steps to an elite power pass rush. But it’s his reaction in the middle of the pass rush that is just as good. He doesn’t go for a finesse swim or spin move. He goes for the bull rush and rip to attack the OL. Gets his hands onto the OL shoulder pad, lifts, and rips under. It’s definition of a power rush. His bull rush is just as good as he gets his legs under him and pushes that OL back with pure force. It really is a thing of beauty.

I think this essay is good enough. Anymore questions or if you have another video of Coples I’d be more than happy to look at it. If you see something that I missed or didn’t comment on please add onto what I’ve put in as well. This was very fun and I look forward to doing more.

He has a lot of the raw features that Mario Williams had. He saw almost no double teams in the Mizzou game. Miami did a lot more to help their tackle out by putting a TE to his side and having the RB key on him.

He has a tremendous plan when he is first gets off the ball. Very physical, takes on the point of attack really well. He tends to break down when he gets to about his 4th or 5th step and the offense is beginning to scramble and react. I think this maybe mistaken has a bad motor that I keep hearing on NFLN.

In reality I really believe that 5 tech is his perfect fit as his pass rush is still very good. I think he needs a ton of film work that likely he didn't get any of in college. The 20 hours of meeting time was likely spent technique and gameplanning rather than specific 1 on 1 matchup and reactions. NFL will help with this.

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